Andy: I’m 32, and living in Wales, UK where I work as a security guard and bouncer, whilst completing a film degree in my spare time. Still make time for my comics and Akira collection – my passion!

What are your tattoos and why did you get them?

Andy: My ‘main’ ink is a large Akira back piece (Notice a theme forming? lol) comprised of the 5th cover of the paperback collection (green Tetsuo), the cover of a Japanese special edition DVD (Tetsuo/cape) and Kaneda with Bike from an ad for the laserdisc. About 45 hours or so, but may add to it. As far as I’m concerned, nothing comes close to the quality of the film and comics. Perfection. On my stomach is a black and grey Totoro homage, with Mei leapfrogging Chibi and Chu. This was my very first tat. In fact, the search for references is what led me to your wonderful blog and your Totoro Tattoo Tuesday! Colour me grateful! :-) On my hip is a work-in-progress No Face from Spirited Away. They all represent my fanatical love of the Anime I grew up with, and a manifestation of my light fluffy side contrasted with my darker preferences, I guess. If I want be pretentious about it. ;-)

We can see that! Any plans for future ink?

Andy: I’m planning a massive studio Ghibli homage for my chest/ribs – bathhouse of the gods behind my NoFace, a Hayao Miyazaki landscape and Catbus behind the Totoro piece to go to my breastbone. A rocky crevice on the opposite hip to No Face to be filled with soot gremlins, with one or two joining procession behind Chibi. A cherry blossom tree atop the rocks, with the main from Princess Mononoke by it, and cherry blossoms falling/caught by soot gremlin below.
That should keep me going for a bit!

I love how you have all the details planned out. If you could have any Ghibli creature as a pet, which would it be and why?

Totoro and No Face

Andy: A soot gremlin (or MANY) as a pet, for sure. Would take the pain out of housework if I could just shout at the dirt and have it run itself away…

Good point, plus, they’re pretty cute. If you were on a deserted island what video game, comic/book, movie, TV show would you bring?

Andy:

Videogame – Skyrim

Comic- What else? AKIRA!!!

Movie – Akira AGAIN. But Spirited Away is a close second.

TV- Babylon 5, it was so clever for its time, and the narrative is EPIC. The Walking Dead, too, please. I’m greedy!

Where can we find you on the internet?

Andy: I’m almost off the grid:-( I don’t have my own blog yet, waiting until I restart my ink. If you wish, hit me up on email or Facebook at Andy-price@live.co.uk

TETSUOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Sorry, it’s a reflex. I couldn’t help myself. AKIRA is one of my favorite anime films of all time, and one of my favorite films in general. The manga series was written and drawn by Katsuhiro Otomo. Otomo also directed the landmark film which changed anime films from that moment on.

I remember when I first saw AKIRA, I was young and although I didn’t “get it” I still instantly fell in love with it and all its intensity. Now that I’m older whenever I rewatch AKIRA I find that I still don’t fully “get it”, but I think that’s why I, and so many people, love AKIRA so much. This manga and anime film is bursting with complexity the conversation about it will never end!

Before I get carried away let’s move on to what you came here to see, Akira tattoos!

I include all the information about the tattoo that was available. If you are interested in having me feature your geeky tattoo on a future or previous Tattoo Tuesday feel free to email me at girlgonegeekblog[at]gmail.com.

“I cut it out of the second page of the graphic novel, and the tattoo artist blew it up by probably 30%” [Source: Tatoosbydesign.com]

“Here is a pic of my Akira rib piece in progress. Four sessions down, hopefully one to go!” [Source: Travis Fights Giants Blog]

Maurilio Duarte Nunes Augusto says this about his tattoo: “There is nothing like mark your own body with something that means A LOT to you, and makes you remember for all your life why you’d become who you are. AKIRA was the manga which opened my eyes to my passion and made want do draw more than ever. So, I asked to , my former but eternal student, to mark definitely my body with this design, made by myself. Crazy? I’ve seen worst tattoos before, and it makes complete sense TO ME. I’ll never regret it, it’s part of my life, of my soul and now, it’s part of my body as well. The memory of AKIRA will live in our hearts forever.” [Source: mauriliodna.deviantart.com] Continue reading →

Like this:

Once you do a podcast there’s no turning back! It’s official I am a full-time resident in the land of Geekdom but the grass is so much greener over here! So @otakusandgeeks and @mylesrowser were there when I popped my podcast cherry! It was fun and we talked about all things cyberpunk and of course we went off on a few tangents. We talked about the anime’s Akira and Ghost in the Shell which should motivate you enough to listen.